Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1887-01-28
FROM The CAPITAL.
Correspondence of the RECORD

Mr.. Crosse TO the spcakcrship. On the
day following the date Of my letter, as
you have no doubt learned, the conlbina-
tion was broken, seven Of tho southern
members Joining with the north, making
20, or q majority of one, in the house.
The object Of this combination was to de-
pose Speaker Crosses and Chief Clerk Eallin,
and to reorgt,nizc the committees. A call
of the house was ordered, and the newly.
formed combination held the deadlock
until midnight, when Hobart, Berry and
Jones weakened and went back to the old
combination. And this is where the Joke
comes in. They had signed written
| pledge with the northern members. the
original of which l have seen. But l
learn that when they broke this and went
back to their first Love they were COM
pclled to take an oath. The written
pledge is now in possession of the north
crn members. 1t was not only for the
removal Of the officers Of the house, but
tor the removal of Che United States
court from Yankton to Mitchell. But,
this agreement having been broken, the
prospects for. the court remaining, at
4ankton arc now very good.
The bill providing for the extension of
time when taxes for 1886 become delin-
quent-from Feb. 1 to July 1, 1SS7--has
passed both houses. 1t was amended
several times, each house refusing to pass
the bill of the other, and finally confer.
cnce committee agreed upon u com
promise which provides that the 5-pur-
cent penalty shall not attach until July 1,
but that those failing to pay their taxes
10y Feb. shall pay interest at per cent IL
month until July. This penalty is so
small that it Will be no burden to the
average taxpayer.
1hc temperance forces Of the house are
preparing for IN aggressive war on liquor,
and to-day Il large mcc.lny in u public
hall Will be addressed by Representative
Fletcher of Brown county, and others.
There is Il bar in the basement OF the
capitol, and the conmittee appointed TO
investigate the question has reported a
bill for its removal.
| Tho bill taxing mines has not been in.
troduced, and tho report that United
States Senator Hearst, Of California, has
placed his check -bofi1 ut the disposal of
tile Black Hills members to prevent such
legislation, has caused an cagcrness in
the lobby and among som upon the floor
for its Introduction.
| The bill providing for the division of
counties, at elections TO be called by the
county commissioners upon petition Of
500 legal voters, is before the house, but
will receive opposition. The grain aud
warehouse bill is in the hands of the COM
mlttce. The railroad bill, rc-creating the
railroad commission and increasing its
powers, giving it authority to fix maxi
mum rat Of freight and to supcrintend
the weighing and grading of grain, will
he considered by tho senate committee to-
morrow. The revenue bill is before The
committee on revenue. The bill for the
support of the volunteer fire companies
OF the territory from the taxes paid by in
surance companies has passed the coun-
Gil. The bill abolishinS the fee system
for county officers and fixing salaries for
the same is before the committee,
Numerous minor measures have been
introduced. Mr. Miltlmorc is father of u
bill making it a punishable o1fcnsc for
any one not an old soldier to wear a
Grand Army badge. lie has evidently
seen the baneful workings of the "old-
conrad" wicket, and is determined that
the bummers and tramps who were ex.
ploring Canada during the war, but who
are now wearing badges of the army,
shall he squclcllcd.
All acts and all combinations are framed
with respect to the United States court
question. This is the pivotal piece of
work to come before the legislature, and
is virtually the only question to stir up
the oldtime Dakota strife The houses
stand on the question as they did when
wrote you before. The council is ready
to pass the bill removing the court from
Yankton to Mitchell, and the house has
majority for Yauktou. This, of course,
may all be changed and, as the oscila-
tory members who arc swinging between
the factions may be compelled to take
two outlls by the Mitchell forces, there is
a possibility that the bill will pass.
Judge Church arrived this afternoon,
and will take the reins Of government in
u few days. I see that the Washington
correspondents claim that Gov. Pierce
has quietly opposed Church's coulirma-
llon, and that an effort will be made by
Picrcc's friends to prevent the confirm;l-
ton until after the close of the session,
or at least until the territorial appoint
ments arc made. This is false, and is q
gross injustice to Gov. Pierce, who is very
anxious that his successor should be con
tirmcd at once. The fact is that the pres
ent state of affairs is very embarrassing
for Pierce, us his Republican friends are
asking him why he does not make tic
appointments, He does not want to
make them, as he considers this priyi-
lcgc of Gov. Church, according to the
spirit of the administration. which has
been SO kind and courteous to him. By
the time this letter reaches you think
Judge Church will have been confirmed !;
but this statement will bc none the less
timely.
I'D g..